The US and KIDS PODCAST

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Ep 120 | Us & Kids: Taming Transitions

Intro 

On today’s show, we will think and talk about transitions.  You know, those changes that happen oh-so-often…as seasons change, as school routines switch-up, as kiddo’s naps and needs change…there we are making changes and trying to manage the ensuing chaos.  

Is there a way to do change without the crying, chaos and confusion?

Certainly. 

Listen in to pick up some tips for how times of change and how to help them be more cooperative, collaborative and perhaps, even calm, or fun. 

Yes, these tips are for the big stuff, like switching to summer schedules, but they are also good when you are just  changing what’s for supper, or what pj’s to wear, or who reads books tonight. 

So, take a few minutes to gather what tips will suit you best so that your connections, even through changes, can be worthy of the “high-fives” of family success!  


What You’ll Learn in Today’s...

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Ep 116 I Self Control, Our Kiddos and Us

 On today’s show we will focus on our little persons - who are busy developing their own personalities and preferences…and their own powerful ways of communicating that to us.  

They certainly have a mind and opinion of their own - from the time they are tiny.  And as they grow into toddlers and start school, their mind, words and emotions pop up in so many different ways. 

What are we to do with their tears, insistence and resistance?  

How are we supposed to stay in control when they are out of control and running the show??

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

  • What and why their brains work as they do - and might learn a thing or two about our brains too! (Think…hot and cool)
  • What skills to use - and teach to our kiddos to help their personal control and choices develop in ways that are creative and calming. 
  • 7 ways that you can use right now to help self-control be a usual part of your everyday, crazy life...
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112 I Mom to Mom Moment about Play Therapy

Inspiration from this Episode

"Kiddos probably have language or look that will make it very clear to you that you are right on.  Pay attention and use that info for their good growth."

"Some kids just have hard periods of life and they just need someone to walk through and give them some new tools. "

"I wish that I had known that play is the primary language of children before my children were seven and four."

Intro 

 On today’s show, we are talking with a very special person in my life.  My daughter, Tammi, is wise, compassionate and courageous.  Today we hear about her and Phil’s journey,  as they processed their son’s play - and what it was saying about how he was feeling within himself, and with the (covid) world around him. 

 What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

  • Adding resources for your kiddos is a very kind, loving action.  It is not a sign of incompetence as a parent. 
  • Working together,...
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111 I The Kiddos!

Inspiration from this Episode

“When our kiddos are tiny, they mostly need kisses. In some ways they might like it the way the acronym goes, keep it simple and sweet.”

“It's true that chaos, confusion and clutter can impact how a kiddo rests, resets and interacts.”

"Yet when we do take that energy, we often find their fun and funny energy will lighten and brighten our moods."

Intro 

 On today’s show, the joy of having kiddos will re-awaken, perhaps just a bit. Using K.I.D. we will talk about kid-healthy ways to be your best parent!  It’s doable and delightful even when you are dreadfully tired!

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

  • How to parent with energy, even when you are so weary. 
  • That delighting in our kiddos makes parenting more doable.
  • Independence and interdependence are a balancing act - for both of you.  

 Resources in Today’s Episode: 

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107 | Us & Kids: Loosen Up Day

Inspiration from this Episode 

“When we loosen up, lots of good things can happen and our worlds will not fall apart.” 

“We know that your brain changes when you force a little smile upon your face. So begin with a smile.” 

“Faith in themselves that they could do this, that things would be okay in the end.”

 

107 | Us & Kids: Loosen Up Day 

 

Intro  

Let me ask you, are you ready? For what you might ask. For learning about how to loosen up and lighten up, even in the midst of November and December. What do you think when you hear those words loosen up, lighten up? Do you just get angry, like, well, who has time for that? 

This day was made to help us find our lighter side while locking up our serious side for a few hours. When we loosen up, lots of good things can happen and our worlds will not fall apart. They might in fact, even improve a bit.

 

What You’ll Learn in Today’s...

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105 | Us & Kids: The Two Griefs of October

Inspiration from this Episode

“Grief doesn't just go away. It becomes a part of the fabric of our lives.”

“Grief is so unpredictable and so messy. It's important to have somebody be able to go along on the ride to hold your hand.”

“Take care of yourself with permission to grieve and permission to live well in people's honor and memory.”

 

105 | Us & Kids: The Two Griefs of October

 

Intro 

On today’s show, we are talking about grief and that's not always so very easy when we contemplate what October is in memory of. October is both Infancy and Pregnancy Loss Awareness month, as well as breast cancer awareness month. 

And for me, both of those titles hold significant weight because they have happened to me in our family, my immediate family with my kids, but also in my extended family. I also know that so many people are affected by one or both of these so I think it’s an important topic to cover today.

 

...

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101 | Us & Kids: Naughty or Nervous

Inspiration from this Episode

“That anxiety is this reaction in the brain and where, since it's something scary and it needs to protect the body.”

“Another way that kiddos tell us that they're nervous is they just have this heightened level of emotion.”

“They want to focus. They want to be able to accomplish tasks.”

 

101 | Us & Kids: Naughty or Nervous

 

Intro 

On today’s show, we are gearing up to send our kiddos back to school or preschool, or perhaps just a more structured schedule for the day in the week. And we could easily be noticing some changes in our kiddos as well - maybe even in ourselves.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell why our little ones are being a bit naughty and hard to distinguish if it is really misplaced nerves. Listen in today to see how you can help, because as you know, stress and anxiety for our kiddos can build off of our own stress and worry.

 

What You’ll Learn in Today’s...

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098 | Us & Kids: 10 Tips for Playing as Adults

Inspiration from this Episode

“When we can be playful, it releases the endorphins that help the body feel better.”

“Connection in that builds trust so that in those stressful situations you know the other person is trying their best.”

“So have fun with each other. Do something new, bring up something you haven't done for a while.”

 

098 | Us & Kids: 10 Tips for Playing as Adults

 

Intro 

On today’s show, we are going to talk about 10 tips for playing as adults. So you might think at first, how is this different from playing as kids? If you revisit our previous episode you’ll remember that the kid's play has more personal growth and brain development in it. 

Playing as an adult has a little bit of a different angle to it. It’s still very, very crucial to healthy living and to building good relationships. Also for keeping your own brain and body in a really good space for relationships and just your own...

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097 | Us & Kids: 10 Tips for Forgiving

Inspiration from this Episode

“If we understand the depth of the wound, we will also understand the depth of forgiveness that we are looking for.”

“I'm going to be calm, cool, and collected. If my emotions are in trouble, I'm going to pause.”

“Realize that forgiving others is often a supernatural and spiritual experience or exercise.”

 

097 | Us & Kids: 10 Tips for Forgiving

 

Intro 

Forgiveness is messy, challenging and necessary. That hurt from that person will never leave me. I am scared and damaged for life because of what they did. I will never be whole, worthy or valued because of their ...words, actions, opinions. This week’s podcast will help you get out of the painfulness of unforgiveness and into the freedom that comes with granting forgiveness.

We've done some of our 10 tips around how you talk, listen and play. Different things like all of that can feed right into how we forgive. So I’m going to invite...

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092 | Us & Kids: A’s of Angry

Inspiration from this Episode

“Are you using it to help people yourself as well as other people?” 

“Remember anger is energy, and we decide how we want to use it.” 

“Because often anger is asking for is an adjustment, in some way. And in that adjustment, we hear acceptance.”

 

092 | Us & Kids: A’s of Angry

 Intro  

On today’s show, we're going to talk about the letter A. We're going to start by talking about anger and then add other A words that both lead away from anger in a negative way or in a more sad way and lead away from anger into a more healthy or appealing way. So first, we have to start by talking about anger. 

I talk often with my clients the idea that anger is energy. It's emotional energy that really wants to have influence in some space or another and often, when it is held back can be sort of explosive. It comes out in that way because we haven't just let it come out more quickly...

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